Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

Vehicles awaiting export at Nanjing Port in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

American researchers say restrictions on Chinese imports could help create complications for Beijing’s economic growth target next year.

21 minutes ago

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

China trade

Military

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

38 minutes agovideocam

China Economy

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

2 hours agovideocam

Health & Environment

Hong Kong’s solid waste levels dip for third year, but green groups still worried

Environment groups say trend not so clear-cut, cite impact of pandemic and heightened public awareness over shelved waste-charging plan.

1 hour ago

Open Questions

George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Science

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

2 hours agovideocam

The team that identified the security flaw has urged manufacturers to establish their own security systems or seek external help. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomacy

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

Visits to the island by parliamentary members ‘seriously violate’ political foundations underpinning bilateral relations, Beijing says.

1 hour agovideocam

Global Economy

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

3 hours agovideocam

Business

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

In partnership with:

MPOC

Palm oil is a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of everyday items, from ice cream and cake to lipstick and biofuel.

Diplomacy

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

2 hours agovideocam

Visitors take photos against the backdrop of Japan’s Mount Fuji. Tensions have been high between China and Japan since November. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Too many US researchers looking at China through American lens, professor warns

Flawed approach to China studies could fuel misunderstandings and lead to misguided policy decisions in Washington, seminar hears.

3 hours agovideocam

Politics

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

3 hours agovideocam

China

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

2 hours ago

Members of Blackpink perform at a 2023 concert in California. Photo: Getty Images

Big Tech

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

2 hours ago

Investors are happy as ByteDance can continue to reap earnings from TikTok in the US, according to a source. Photo: Reuters

Transport

Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

Transport Department says it has informed police of vehicles making U-turns at tunnel entrance and heading in opposite direction.

2 minutes ago

Europe

‘Respect our integrity’: Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland envoy

Denmark warns US to respect its borders after Trump names Jeff Landry envoy to Greenland, asserting the mineral-rich island is not for sale.

4 hours agovideocam

United States & Canada

Trump administration triples ‘self-deport’ stipend to US$3,000

The limited-time offer includes a free flight and requires use of the CBP Home app before the end of the year.

1 hour ago

US officials oversee a deportation flight at Fort Bliss, Texas in February. Photo: Department of Defence/AFP

Tech Trends

Baidu teams up with Uber, Lyft for London robotaxi launch in first half of 2026

The Lyft robotaxi fleet will use Baidu’s fully electric Apollo Go RT6, which has been purpose-built for ride-sharing.

1 hour ago

United States & Canada

Did ‘political’ reasons postpone ‘60 Minutes’ report on El Salvador prison?

CBS delayed its CECOT prison report, where the US has sent hundreds of migrants, citing more reporting and sparking outcry over censorship.

2 hours ago

United States & Canada

Nigeria says ‘spat’ with Trump over killing of Christians ‘largely resolved’

However, Nigeria remains on Washington’s list of countries of ‘particular concern’ regarding alleged religious freedom violations.

36 minutes ago

OPINION

Mohammed Sinan Siyech

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

2 hours ago

Nicholas Spiro

The View | Rebound in Hong Kong’s Central office market could be turning point

22 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

SCMP Editorial

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

22 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Joseph E. Stiglitz

Opinion | How Trump is hastening the end of American hegemony

21 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Letters

Letters | Shenzhen-Hong Kong special zone could better serve national economy

22 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Harry’s View | 22 Dec 2025

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Hong Kong Economy

Hong Kong tightens rules for waterfront event space after hot air-balloon fiasco

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China Economy

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

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Other Sport

International Swimming League targets 2026 relaunch after Covid, war disruptions

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United States & Canada

Nigeria says ‘spat’ with Trump over killing of Christians ‘largely resolved’

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Military

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

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Trump administration triples ‘self-deport’ stipend to US$3,000

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Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

15 Nov 2025 - 7:04AMvideocam

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

27 Oct 2025 - 11:38PMvideocam

Avoid West’s ‘discourse trap’ when defending China: ex-government adviser

23 Oct 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Open Questions series

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

15 Dec 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:07AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:57PMvideocam

China Economy

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

24 Nov 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Tech

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

17 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The questions in FAI-C were reviewed by a panel of Biblical experts, including theologians, pastors, psychologists and scholars of ethics. Photo: SCMP

Tech Trends

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

3 hours ago

AI

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

From DeepSeek sending shock waves through tech market to China’s robot boot camps, here are some of the major AI developments of the year.

22 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

China Business

China’s approval for L3 self-driving cars to stimulate slowing mainland market

Chinese carmakers could sell about 270,000 semi-autonomous vehicles next year, representing 1 per cent of the total market, Daiwa says.

22 Dec 2025 - 7:30AMvideocam

Semi-autonomous cars with L3 technology are likely to spur sales on the mainland next year. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China Business

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

20 Dec 2025 - 8:57AM

Diplomacy

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

19 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Military

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:03AM

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

American researchers say restrictions on Chinese imports could help create complications for Beijing’s economic growth target next year.

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Announcements suggest the dust has begun to settle following a massive purge in the military over corruption concerns.

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

Hong Kong’s solid waste levels dip for third year, but green groups still worried

Environment groups say trend not so clear-cut, cite impact of pandemic and heightened public awareness over shelved waste-charging plan.

George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Chinese researchers show how a word could let spies take control of a robot army

Demonstration at cybersecurity event highlights a flaw that could turn one robot into a ‘Trojan horse’ that can seize control of others.

Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan

Visits to the island by parliamentary members ‘seriously violate’ political foundations underpinning bilateral relations, Beijing says.

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

Alleging that European subsidies are hurting Chinese producers, Beijing has imposed fees that look to hit French exporters the hardest.

.css-f84qeq{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;font-style:italic;}The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Found everywhere from food products to biofuel, this vegetable oil is preferred for its versatility, safety and sustainable production.

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

Too many US researchers looking at China through American lens, professor warns

Flawed approach to China studies could fuel misunderstandings and lead to misguided policy decisions in Washington, seminar hears.

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

China-South Korea ties, Singapore’s ex-FM on Hong Kong: SCMP daily highlights

From why China-South Korea relations may be cooling to Beijing’s latest bid to boost births, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Figure marks a record for China’s tech giant, which will divest its US entity into a joint venture that includes Oracle and Silver Lake.

Police asked to tackle reckless driving on Hong Kong’s new Central Kowloon Bypass

Transport Department says it has informed police of vehicles making U-turns at tunnel entrance and heading in opposite direction.

‘Respect our integrity’: Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland envoy

Denmark warns US to respect its borders after Trump names Jeff Landry envoy to Greenland, asserting the mineral-rich island is not for sale.

Trump administration triples ‘self-deport’ stipend to US$3,000

The limited-time offer includes a free flight and requires use of the CBP Home app before the end of the year.

Baidu teams up with Uber, Lyft for London robotaxi launch in first half of 2026

The Lyft robotaxi fleet will use Baidu’s fully electric Apollo Go RT6, which has been purpose-built for ride-sharing.

Did ‘political’ reasons postpone ‘60 Minutes’ report on El Salvador prison?

CBS delayed its CECOT prison report, where the US has sent hundreds of migrants, citing more reporting and sparking outcry over censorship.

Nigeria says ‘spat’ with Trump over killing of Christians ‘largely resolved’

However, Nigeria remains on Washington’s list of countries of ‘particular concern’ regarding alleged religious freedom violations.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit

The View | Rebound in Hong Kong’s Central office market could be turning point

Editorial | TikTok deal could show way forward for US-China engagement

Opinion | How Trump is hastening the end of American hegemony

Letters | Shenzhen-Hong Kong special zone could better serve national economy

Hong Kong tightens rules for waterfront event space after hot air-balloon fiasco

China’s record trade surplus could prompt protectionist response in 2026: report

International Swimming League targets 2026 relaunch after Covid, war disruptions

Nigeria says ‘spat’ with Trump over killing of Christians ‘largely resolved’

Xi promotes PLA commanders overseeing Taiwan Strait, Beijing to full general

Trump administration triples ‘self-deport’ stipend to US$3,000

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

Avoid West’s ‘discourse trap’ when defending China: ex-government adviser

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’

Dean of Peking University’s National School of Development says ‘balance’ needed in AI development to protect employment, ‘human well-being’.

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo on Taiwan reunification, lessons from the Ukraine war

Commentator and former senior colonel on Beijing’s row with Japan, lessons from the Ukraine war and why playing global policeman is a trap.

Open Questions | ‘A mistaken view’: US economist Nicholas Lardy on the ‘peak China’ hypothesis

The veteran China watcher talks Beijing’s need for financial reform and how US-China economic convergence could still be on the horizon.

China’s Qwen and DeepSeek edge out US AI models in Christian values benchmark

US start-up Gloo’s Flourishing AI Christian benchmark tested how the output of AI models ‘help people flourish’, CEO Pat Gelsinger said.

Unitree G1 humanoids go viral with synchronised frontflip and Musk endorsement

China continues to dominate in humanoid robotics, and its lead over the US is accelerating, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report.

DeepSeek’s shock rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI breakthroughs in 2025

From DeepSeek sending shock waves through tech market to China’s robot boot camps, here are some of the major AI developments of the year.

China’s approval for L3 self-driving cars to stimulate slowing mainland market

Chinese carmakers could sell about 270,000 semi-autonomous vehicles next year, representing 1 per cent of the total market, Daiwa says.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

Are Chinese biotechs what the doctor ordered as Big Pharma faces ‘patent cliff’?

US drug makers are racing to plug looming ‘patent cliff’ revenue gaps – and increasingly they are turning to China biotechs.

China urged to win ‘hearts and minds’ to fill leadership void as US retreats

Experts pushing Beijing’s vision for a new world order say nation can offer an ‘important alternative’ but it needs to improve its messaging.

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

The secret ingredient in your daily life: why Malaysian palm oil is used around the world

Exclusive | TikTok owner ByteDance’s valuation hits US$500 billion as US plan advances

Opinion | As UK universities lose prestige, Asian institutions stand to benefit